Holiday overview

Marvel at the ‘Staffordshire Hoard’ at the world-famous Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, as well as the Pre-Raphaelite and Baroque art collections. Enjoy the paintings, drawings and sculptures of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Visit the home of Royal Worcester Porcelain and marvel at the ‘Mappa Mundi’ and Chained Library within the majestic Hereford Cathedral.

Holiday highlights

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Museum of Royal Worcester

Hereford Cathedral

Price includes

High quality Full Board en-suite accommodation and excellent food in our Country House

The guidance and services of our knowledgeable HF Holidays’ leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday

All transport on touring days on a comfortable, good-quality mini-coach with PA system, as well as all other transport required as part of your holiday itinerary

All admissions to places of interest that form part of your holiday itinerary

In pictures...

Accommodation

Longmynd House is set in a wonderful elevated location above the town of Church Stretton. With excellent walks on the doorstep, and extensive public rooms, it's an excellent base for our walking and leisure activity holidays.

Longmynd House has 50 bedrooms, all in the main building. There are also 8 brick-built lodges in the grounds - a popular alternative for families or couples, with all the facilities you would expect from HF Holidays.

Choose your room

Classic Rooms• Check in from 2:30pm• Comfortable accommodation • En-suite bathroom with bath or shower• 23 inch TV• Hairdryer• Tea and coffee-making facilities• Double or two single beds• Toiletries• Single rooms are available at no extra charge

Facilities

• Three additional rooms, can be used for other purposes• Free WiFi is available in some public rooms and bedrooms• Range of board games and books • Patio

• Large heated swimming pool (open May to September)• Woodland walks on the slopes beneath the hotel• Sculpture trail

Dining

All holidays at our Country Houses are full board accommodation including evening meal on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure. All of our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

√Start your day with our extensive breakfast.√ Take your fill from our famous self-service picnic lunches√ A relaxed social dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses

Your evenings

Just relax and take it easy, or if you'd like to continue to chat with our guides and fellow guests then why not grab a drink or take part in one of our optional evening activities.

All of our bars are stocked with locally sourced drinks so you can really soak up your surroundings.

Accessibility

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times.

Fire evacuation notices are displayed in the bedrooms and throughout the hotel. Each room has its own smoke sensor and fire alarm. In the event of a fire a very loud continuous alarm sounds and emergency lighting comes on. We have portable Deaf guard fire alarm system for those who are hard of hearing. This consists of a vibrating pad to go under the pillow and a bright strobe light. The Deaf guard is triggered when main alarm is activated.

In the case of evacuation there are fire exits in every function room, bar and restaurant as well as the main front entrance. On the first, second and third floors there are fire exits at either end of the corridors which open to an emergency fire escape stairwell.

Please advise reception on check in if you think you would require assistance in the event of an emergency. Door hangers are available in the rooms which can be used to indicate a need for assistance. Fire extinguishers are found throughout the building, as are fire call points. If you discover a fire please call 9-999 from your room phone, raise the alarm and alert a member of staff.

Itinerary

Arrival day

You can check in to your room from 2.30pm onwards (premium rooms from 1pm). Please join us for afternoon tea.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery & The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

We visit the world-famous Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery with its wonderful collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Baroque art collection and the glorious Staffordshire Horde. We’ll explore The Barber Institute of Fine Arts with drawings, paintings and sculptures by the Masters.

The Museum of Royal Worcester & Worcester City Art Gallery

The Museum of Royal Worcester is famous for its finely decorated porcelain. Marvel at their collections, before discovering Worcester City Art Gallery with a great collection of 19th century landscape paintings, The Sale Bequest of important works of the 20th and 21st centuries, the historic Steward’s Chemist Shop and of course Albert the Wandering Albatross.

Hereford Cathedral & Hereford Museum and Art Gallery

We visit the architectural masterpiece that is Hereford Cathedral, get our bearings on the Mappa Mundi and have a look at the magnificent Chained Library Then we'll enjoy paintings by English masters like Brian Hatton, John Scarlett Davis, David Cox and Godfrey Kneller at the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.

Depart after a leisurely breakfast

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Local area

Discover Shropshire

During your stay at Longmynd House you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest, either in your free time, or on your journey to and from Shropshire:

The attractive small town of Church Stretton is around 10 minutes' walk away. After the arrival of the railway, the town grew in the Victorian and Edwardian eras and became known as 'Little Switzerland' due to the dramatic hills on both sides of the valley. Today the town retains its bygone charm and has a range of facilities including a variety of small shops, banks, cafés, pubs and a supermarket.

LudlowEasily reached by train, or around 20 minutes' drive away, Ludlow is a particularly attractive market town. The historic centre retains many of its medieval buldings, and is towered over by its well-preserved castle. In recent years the town has developed as something of a gastronomic centre, being home to celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and many acclaimed local food producers. www.ludlowcastle.com

Ironbridge GorgeA little further afield, about 45 minutes' drive from Church Stretton, are the many excellent museums of Ironbridge Gorge. Known as the 'birthplace of the Industrial Revolution' it was here that Abraham Darby perfected the manufacture of cast iron which was later used to build the area's iconic iron bridge across the River Severn. Today there are 10 museums in the gorge including the Museum of Iron, the Coleport China Museum and the excellent Blists Hill Victorian town. www.ironbridge.org.uk/

Severn Valley RailwayThe Severn Valley Railway is one of Britain's premier steam railways. This lovingly recreated Great Western Railway branch line is now run largely by volunteers and is home to an impressive collection of locomotives. As its name suggests the line follows the rural valley of the River Severn from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. The nearest station at Bridgnorth is about 40 minutes' drive from Church Stretton. www.svr.co.uk

Acton Scott Working FarmSituated just 10 minutes' drive from Church Stretton, the Acton Scott Working Farm Museum is a living museum based around a restored Victorian farm. In recent years this has featured in the BBC2 series Victorian Farm and Escape in Time. www.actonscott.com

ShrewsburyAlso easily reached by train, or a 30 minute drive, Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire. The town centre is particularly attractive featuring many black and white timber houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Much WenlockThe small town of Much Wenlock, about 30 minutes' drive from Church Stretton, is particularly attractive with many black and white timbered houses. Despite its small size the town can claim to be the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

HerefordThe cathedral city of Hereford, is just under an hour's drive away, and can also be reached by direct train from Church Stretton. Hereford Cathedral houses a chained library and the famous Mappa Mundi, a 13th century map of the world. www.herefordcathedral.org

Attingham ParkA grand 18th century house surrounded by an extensive deer park, located outside Shrewsbury, around 25 minutes' drive away. Now managed by the National Trust you can visit the ornate rooms and explore the walled garden and grounds. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park

Powis CastleThis former medieval fortress has been remodelled over more than 400 years – each generation adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries. Theworld-famous garden is overhung with clipped yews, and shelters rare and tender plants. The castle is located near Welshpool, about 45 minutes' drive from Church Stretton. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle

Chirk CastleJust under an hour's drive north of Church Stretton, Chirk Castle is a fine medieval fortress completed in 1310. As well as military displays, the castle was also a domestic home for many centuries, and is surrounded by excellent gardens. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle

Travel

Travel to Church Stretton

By train:

The nearest train station is Church Stretton, which is less than a mile from Longmynd House. However the house is at the top of a very steep hill (it has great views!) so a taxi is recommended, particularly if you have heavy luggage. Please note that Church Stretton is a small town and taxis are not always available.

HF station transfer - great value!

Our station transfer operates every Friday and Monday between Church Stretton station and Longmynd House. The pickup is at 3.15pm from Church Stretton station. On departure day the transfer will get you back to the station for 9.15am, 9.45am or 10:25. This transfer costs just £7 return, however a place must be reserved 7 days in advance by calling 0345 470 7558.

By taxi:

If you can’t meet our station transfer it is possible to book a taxi. Taxis can be limited so please pre-book. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Longmynd House Manager.

By car:

Follow the A49 to Church Stretton. At the traffic lights turn off the A49 into the town. At the first T junction turn left into the High Street. Go straight over the mini-roundabout, and then take the next right into Cunnery Road. Follow the road up a steep hill and around a hairpin bend. Longmynd House is at the top of the hill on the left hand side. Look out for our sign. A car park is available in the grounds with free parking.

Travelling from overseas

Manchester Airport has the quickest onward connections to Church Stretton. Trains from the airport take 2 hours, with one change at Crewe. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.

Flying to London Heathrow airport is another option, but has a longer onward train journey - allow at least 4½ hours to reach Church Stretton by train. There are a variety of routes, but the most convenient is to change at London Paddington and Newport as this avoid crossing London. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.

Leaders

Murray Ince

Murray has many years experience of fine art tuition including various painting experiences, lecturing for the local College on the Isle of Wight and demonstrates and runs workshops for art societies and groups covering many mediums and genres in fine art. Murray is a Professional Associate with the SAA (Society for All Artists) and is a featured artist and product ambassador with Winsor and Newton and has written a book on the subject of ‘Landscape Painting In ‘Artisan’ Water Mixable Oils’.

Murray has a passion for art history especially British landscape painting and says that the beauty of working for HF Holidays is that all of their houses are in stunning parts of the British countryside which has inspired British artists for centuries and is still inspiring some of the world’s best artists today. Murray is a direct descendent of both Joseph Murray Ince R.A. (1806 – 1859), whose works can be seen in many galleries including the Fitzwilliam and Victoria and Albert, and William Ince of the Ince and Mayhew furniture making partnership.

He created a first class learning environment with his enthusiasm and encouragement. He was well prepared in terms of handouts, visual aids and other teaching material and very flexible in his approach.